Can package



Aug. 4, 1964 J. .1. HEYDON 3,143,210

CAN PACKAGE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN J. HEYDONATTORNEY 1954 J. J. HEYDON 3,143,210

CAN PACKAGE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 2 s s t 2 FIG. 6

INVENTOR JOHN J. H EYDON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,143,210 CANPACKAGE John .1. Haydon, 611 W. Hill, Fullerton, Calif. Filed Nov. 16,1959, Set. No. 853,059 14- Claims. (Cl. 296-65) This invention isdirected to a carrier for displaying and carrying a series of beadedcans. More particularly the invention concerns a carrier package forrows of cylindrical cans which are held by at least one spring clip andincludes means to further confine a series of cans and handle means tofacilitate carrying the package.

As is known the usual six-pack package has been of the paperboardvariety and has been constructed in various shapes and forms. Because ofthe inherent expense and other disadvantages hereinafter discussed ofsuch prior art packages, they have not come into universal use for otherthan beer and certain other beverages. The paperboard packs are prone totearing, deterioration under moisture conditions, difiiculty in openingand excessive can movement within the package itself. Various types ofclips for holding multiple cans have been proposed, constructed andtested for use in the beer canning industry. Basically, these clips havebeen unable to meet (1) the usual industry drop tests, (2) a minimalstandard of ease of use by the consumer, and (3) a competitive coststandard.

The complete preferred can package of this invention basically comprisesclip portions adapted to grip the top beading of cylindrical cans, apaperboard retainer surrounding the cans and held by the bottom headingof the cans and a handle portion pivotable in adjacent clips andrecessible in a can top.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel carrier for a group ofcans.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new clip means forclipping together beaded cans.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedmultipack can package.

An additional object is to provide an improved handle for a multicancarrier.

A further object is to provide a new disposable tray for holding beadedcans in a convenient carrier.

A still further object is to provide a novel package for a group of sixbeaded cans, including sprin clips, a handle pivotable therein and apaper board retaining tray.

The above objects, as well as other objects of the invention will beapparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the overall package;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clip means per se;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional detailed view showing the canclamping action of the clip means taken on the line 3-3 of PEG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a handle front view in the carrying position with an endprojection pivotable on a cross-sectioned portion of a clip member;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a modified handle portion;

FIG. 7 is a bottom View of a six-pack tray in position;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cut blank from which the tray is constructed;

FIG. 9 is a modified clip in position on a two-pack;

FIG. 10 is a cross-view taken on line 1-1 of FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are side and end views of such modified clip.

The overall can package 10 shown in FIG. 1 is described herein in termsof a six-pack, made up of six juxtaposed cans 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 beadedas in conventional at the top and bottom thereof. It is to be understoodthat the invention contemplates the use of the hereinafter describedclips in packages including two or more 3,143,216 Patented Aug. 4, 1964ice juxtaposed cans. While the beverage industry favors the former, thepresent invention has utility in clipping together, for example, foursoup or sauce cans which can be sold as an integral unit in its ownpackage. In the typical complete six-pack shown clips 13 and 14 areprovided at the point of juxtaposition of cans 4, 5, 8 and 9 and 5, 6, 7and 8, respectively. Each of these clips have portions, shown in detailin FIGS. 2 and 3, which clip together the adjacent cans at the topbeading thereof. To facilitate carrying of the package a handle 15 isprovided which when used is pivoted as at 11 in a portion of the clipsto an u standing position at right angles to the plane including thetops of the juxtaposed cans. When the package is in storage or ondisplay the handle 15 will be recessed into the top of one of thecentral cans 5 or 8 as shown so that the handle does not interfere withthe stacking or the sliding from a stack of the overall package. Whenthe handle bail is recessed below the top of the can beading it presentsno obstacle to these functions. In order to prevent accidentaldisengagement of the cans from the clip and to afford additional spacefor advertising, etc., a paperboard or metal foil tray retainer 16 isprovided at the bottom of the can package. This tray is supported on thecans by the cans themselves, namely by the bottom beading 12. The tray16 comprising an annular band 19 having slots 17 and 18 therein whichextend upwards from the plane of the tray bottom a distance slightlygreater than the height of the can beading on the exterior can surfaceso that the upper edge of the slots rest on the top exterior edge of thebotom can beading. In operation the clips are pressed into position ontwo parallel juxtaposed rows of beaded cans, the handle projectionsinserted under the clips and the retainer tray mounted on the cans.Following sale, the ultimate consumer at the time of first use removesthe tray by tearing or prying it 0d the beading, and then rotates a holdcan about an axis at the juncture of the clip and that can. Once the canhas been rotated upwardly about 45 the can will slip out of the clip andbe ready for the usual can opening procedures. After one can has beenremoved the clips or clip continue to hold the remaining cans. When onlyone can remains on the clip the clip can be held and that can pivoted todisengage the clip therefrom.

FIG. 2 shows in detail a preferred form of clip 19 which is formed froma one-piece metal blank 20 having various coined and bent portions. Theblank has four pairs of fingers (21, 21a; 22, 22a; 23, 23a; 24, 24a)extending generally from each side of the blank. Each pair of fingersmay be described as a bifurcated finger extending outwardly andeventually downward in the case of a can top clip. These fingersfunction to grip the top side of the can beading and provide a downwardand inward force on that beading. Each of the fingers has a downwardlyextending portion 31 of a lateral radius to fit the rim of the can, abent radii approximately the same as the can beadingand a fiat tipportion 32 adapted to seat on the top of the can inwardly of the beadingthereon. The tip portion 32 is shown in FIG. 2 as being flared into thebent portion 31 at the tips of the fingers but may be of constant widthas seen in FIG. 3. Between each of the pairs of fingers is acantilevered bent bearn 25, 26, 27 and 28 which spring grips theunderside of the can beading. These bent beams have root portionsperipherally inward from the lips of fingers and are separated therefromby cut-out portions 33 having a curved inner radius preventing thetearing of metal. Each of the bent beams has a downwardly extendingportion 34 at an angular relation of approximately 60 to the plane ofthe metal blank 20 and of a distance greater than the downwardlyextending portions 31 of the bifurcated fingers. The bent beams have afree end portion 35 extending in a substantially vertical directionwhose tip end presses on the underside of the can beading with an upwardand outward force and extends to a plane below the plane of the metalblank 20. The blank is provided with a coined square aperture 38permitting indexing of the clip which is surrounded by an inwardlyextending stiffening rib 36. A circular aperture is seen in the FIG. 1clips; Additional stiffening ribs 37 are provided extending between thebifurcated fingers. This allows the fingers to have suflicient stiffnessWhile allowing the bent beams or spring sections to satisfactorily gripthe can beading. The combination of a pair of fingers and a springsection act as a three-fingered claw which grips the described portionsof the heading in the manner discussed.

This clamping action'is seen in greater detail in FIG. 3 wherein aportion of the clip is shown'attached to a can 9. The spring portion orbent beam 28 is deflected from a released position 39' (shown dotted)during assembly so that it tightly grips the underside of beading 12 asit attempts to return to the relaxed or unstressed position. The clipsare placed on a group of cans by pressing them on the can tops whilethe'beam has been compressed sufliciently to clear the top beading. Thespring 23 is thus a cantilever beam fixed at one end and loaded at theother end by the underside of the rim of the can. The action of thefinger tips 32 on the top surface 11 of adjoining cans can be seen.Preferably the clips hold the cans in such a manner that the beading onadjacent cans do not touch as at 40 thus avoiding chafiing, denting orbumping ofcans. The cans are individually suspended or floated by theclamping action of the described clips. In order to develop the properspring tension a preferred clip is made from SAE 1040 carbon'springsteel which is heat treated to a hardness corresponding to a Rockwell Cmeasure of 43. The preferred range of hardness is from 4044 on theRockwell C scale. The clips are normally made from sheet stock having athickness of 0.0l20.020 depending on the size of cans which are to beclipped together.

Thecans; though held tightly by' the clips, are not held rigidly. Thusif the package is distorted by impact or twisting movement, the clipsare not broken nor do they lose their grip. When the distorting ortwisting force is removed, the clips return the package to its originalshape. This feature makes it possible for the present invention tosurvive the normal rigors encountered in handling and shipping.

When it is desired to use the clips described on the bottom of the canpackage the top surface of the clips may have raised dimples 29 in theposition indicated in'FIG. 3 between the fingers of the clip. Thesedimples facilitate the sliding of one clip over another clip whenremoving a package from, a stack. In the preferred form of can carrierdimples 29'are unnecessary since when the can packages are stacked thebottom tray seen in FIG. 1 easily slides over the clips holding thepackage below.

FIG. 4 shows a novel can carrier handle and its pivotable connectionwith a portion of a central can clip as seen broadly in FIG. 1. Thehandle comprises an open, cylindrical bail portion 45 generally made ofstiff wire, a flattened'portion 42 extending peripherally outward fromthe bail, and oppositely directed end projections 43 extending from anoffset portion 46 (FIG. 5), generally also flattened, at right angles tothe portions 42 and 43. The offset portion 46 seen in FIG. 5 extends adistance slightly greater than the distance between the underside of anattached clip to the top of the can beading. The offset portion 46allows the flattened portion 42 to overlap the top of the can beadingand the bail portion 41 to recess in the can top within the can beading.The projections 43 terminate in an angular sharp end section 44 whichfunctions to load the handle in the up position inwardly of the exteriorperiphery 47 of the clip fingers as at 48. This prevents the handle frompulling out from between the clips. For purposes of amplification thepivot points 48 are also seen in FIG. 1. The dotted lines 45 in FIG. 4

show the handle in a compressed position which enables it to be fittedunder the end portions 47 of juxtaposed can clips.

FIG. 6 shows a modified handle portion which has a hemispherical bailsection which has an upper cross-bar 49 which is easily grippable forraising into a vertical position for carrying and facilitates thecarrying of the overall package.

FIG. 7 is a bottom View of=the paperboard retainer tray of thisinvention which co-acts with the beading of the juxtaposed cans to holditself and the cans in position and which is easily removed withouttools or mechanical aid permitting pivoting of the cans from the clipsas heretofore discussed. The tray 16 comprises a flat bottom portion inengagement with the exterior of the beading 12 on all the cans 9. Atriangular or other shaped cut-out portions 51 internally of each of thecorners of the blank which allows an annular band 19 tocircumferentially confine the grouping of cans with its bottom corneredges sitting on the inner periphery of the beading along the exteriorof the cans. This prevents the tray from falling off the cans when thecan unit is picked up.

The preferred paperboard retainer tray seen in FIG. 8 comprises agenerally rectangular blank having a central plane portion 50, cut-outportions 51, parallel slits 52, 53, 54 and 55 leading from theperipheral edges of the blank to a parallel edge of each of cut-outs 51,and slots 56 and 57, in the case of a six-pack tray, centrally on oneside of the blank. The edges of the blank are folded on dotted foldlines 62, 63, 64 and 65 at right angles to bottom 50. The ends of theshort sided ends of the blanks are then folded at 58, 59, 6t) and 61,overlapped with an adjacent edge portion and firmly secured as by glueor staple. This final operation is done by automatic machinery whichplaces the tray upon the can bottoms.

The invention above described can be used with various numbers of cansother than the six-pack illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, a triangularthree-pack may be clipped together by one clip member having a generalequilateral triangular shape with a pair of fingers and a bent beamspring portion therebetween extending fromeach of the three sides.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a modified clip in position on a two-pack.This modification is particularly useful on large 40 oz. juice cans andthe like of considerable weight. It comprises a clip 71 positioned onthe beading 77 of cans 70. This clip has central portion 72, bifurcatedspring fingers or bent beams 73, 74, 75 and 76 extending therefrom togrip the underside of the can beading and central depending fingers 78and 79 which operably abut the top and inner periphery of the canbeading 77 as shown in detail in FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view takenin FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows the depending finger, means 79 on clip 71, the root 84 ofa bifurcation forming a spring beam which has a downwardly and inwardly,i.e. facing the other beam of the bifurcation, curved portion 81 whichis then curved outwardly as at 82. The bent beam terminates in anupwardly directed, substantially vertical freeend portion 83 having atip 84 which sits under the outer beading of a can. Tip 84 is angularlydisposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the clip 50 so as togenerally conform to the beading at the radial positions shown in FIG;9. This cantilevered spring bent beam corresponds to the cantileveredbent beam 28 of FIG. 2. FIG. 12 shows an end view of the clip 71.Shoulder 85 facilitates the mounting of the clip on the can beading. Thecans in the described two-pack are separated by pivoting them about thebent beams.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, itis to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration andexample only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit andscope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A carrier for two rows of cylindrical cans having cylindrical sidesand beaded tops and bottoms, comprising at least one holding clip havinga generally planar top surface operably connected to each of fourjuxtaposed cans, said clip having spring sections including portionscompressively gripping the underside of the beading with an upward andoutward force with respect to said top surface on one end of each ofsaid juxtaposed cans, the portions of said spring sections engaging saidbeading underside in their normal position lying in a plane above saidbeading underside, and means gripping the top side of said beading, anda paperboard retainer surrounding and in contact with said juxtaposedcans and held thereon by the beading on the opposite ends of saidjuxtaposed cans, said spring sections gripping at least four cans at aposition diametrically opposite the centers of the can portionscontacted by said retainer.

2. A can package for six cylindrical cans in two parallel juxtaposedrows, said cans having beaded tops and bottoms, a first spring clipoperably connecting four juxtaposed cans including two centrally locatedcans, a second spring clip operably connecting the other two of saidcans with said centrally located cans, each of said spring clips havinga relatively flat central portion and four cantilevered spring gripsextending from peripheral edge portions of said central portionincluding portions operably gripping in upwardly and outwardly directedcompression the underside of a portion of the top beading on each of thejuxtaposed cans, the portions of said spring grips engaging said beadingunderside in their normal position lying in a plane above said beadingunderside, and finger means extending from said edge portions of saidclips on each side of each of said grips operably abutting the top sideof a portion of the top beading on each of the juxtaposed cans.

3. The invention as set out in claim 2 including a paperboard retainerperipherally holding said cans at the bottom thereof and in contact withportions of said cans preventing accidental pivoting of a can about anaxis substantially through said spring grips and adjacent finger means,said spring grips gripping four end located cans at a positiondiametrically opposite the centers of the end can portions contacted bysaid retainer.

4. A clip for holding at least two juxtaposed cans each having a beadedtop portion, comprising a relatively flat metal blank, at least twopairs of spaced fingers downwardly extending from said blank, each ofsaid pairs adapted to operably abut spaced portions of the top and innerperiphery of the can top beading on each of said cans, and acantilevered spring grip downwardly extending from said blank betweeneach of said pairs of spaced fingers, said spring grip adapted tooperably abut and provide a compressive spring force against a portionof the underside of said can top beading on the exterior peripherythereof between the abutment of said pairs of fingers whereby each canis held in a three-point suspension.

5. A multiple can clip comprising a blank having a relatively fiat topsurface, depending can grasping fingers extending downwardly from theside of said blank, at least one cantilevered U-shaped bent beamextending from said blank between pairs of said fingers, said beamhaving a first portion extending downwardly and a free end portionextending upwardly toward said top surface and adapted to contact a canheading.

6. A multiple can clip comprising a metal blank having a relatively flathorizontal top surface, bifurcated fingers extending downwardly fromeach side of said blank, a cantilevered bent beam extending from saidblank between each bifurcated finger, said beam having a first angularportion extending downwardly a distance greater than the downwardlyextending extent of said fingers and a free end portion extendingupwardly in a substantially vertical direction toward said top surface,

the tip of said free end portion ending in a plane below the plane ofsaid horizontal top surface.

7. A multiple can clip for cylindrical beaded cans comprising a metalblank having four cantilevered U-shaped bent beam gripping fingersextending equidistantly from a substantially horizontal portion of saidblank at points removed from each other, said gripping fingers having afirst portion integral with said blank and extending downwardlytherefrom and an integral free re-entrant end portion extendingsubstantially vertically from said first portion toward said horizontalportion, four projections extending from said blank at a 45 anglebetween each of said fingers, each of said projections having twoseparate and distinct depending curved sidewalls in substantially spacedcurved alignment with an adjacent free reentrant end portion of saidfingers whereby each of said gripping fingers and two adjacent curvedseparate sidewalls are adapted to grasp and hold a beaded can on theunderside and top side, respectively, of the beading thereon.

8. In combination with a series of juxtaposed beaded cans, twolongitudinally spaced spring clips holding said cans in fixedorientation at the beading thereon, said clips having aligned openingsbisecting aligned rows of cans, and a pivotable carrier handle havingoppositely directed end projections situated in said aligned openings, abail portion having a curvature corresponding to the inner circulardiameter of the heading on said cans, ofiset means between saidprojections and said bail portion adapted to overlay a can heading andrecess said bail portion therein.

9. A clip for holding two juxtaposed cans each having a beaded topportion, comprising a metal blank having a relatively flat top surface,at least one pair of spaced fingers extending downwardly from the topsurface of said blank and adapted to operably abut portions of the topand inner periphery of the can top heading, and at least onecantilevered spring grip extending downwardly from the top surface ofsaid blank between said spaced fingers, said spring grip being incompression and adapted to operably abut a portion of the underside ofsaid can top heading on the exterior periphery thereof the combinationof said at least one grip and said fingers being in contact with each ofsaid cans at three distinct points to provide a three-point suspensionfor each of said cans.

10. The invention as set out in claim 9 including two spring gripsextending on both lateral sides of said spaced fingers and wherein saidthree distinct contact points on each said can are provided by twospaced coacting spring grips having one of said spaced fingerstherebetween.

11. The invention as set out in claim 9 wherein said three distinctcontact points on each said can are provided by one spring grip betweena pair of spaced fingers.

12. A can carrier handle comprising an open curved bail portion forrecessing in a beaded can top, oifset portions extending from the endsof said bail portion and oppositely directed end projections extendingfrom each of said offset portions, said offset portions being flattenedin the plane of said bail portion and said projections being in a planespaced from and parallel to the plane of said bail portion.

13. A can carrier handle comprising an open cylindrical bail portion,offset portions extending from the ends of said bail portion andoppositely directed end projections extending from each of said offsetportions, said bail portion being cylindrical in cross-section, saidprojections being in a plane parallel to the plane of said bail portionand having the tips thereof bent toward said bail portion.

14. A can package for six cylindrical cans in two parallel juxtaposedrows, said cans having beaded tops and bottoms, a first spring clipoperably connecting four juxtaposed cans including two centrally locatedcans, a second spring clip operably connecting the other two of saidcans with said centrally located cans, each of said spring clips havinga relatively fiat central portion and four cantilevered spring gripsextending from peripheral edge portions of said centralport-ion operablygripping in upwardly and outwardly directed compression the underside ofa portion of the top beading on each of the juxtaposed cans, and a wirepivotable handlehaving a curved bail portion of smaller diameter thansaid cans and having end portions pivotably held between opposed pairsof finger means on each of said clips on the undersides thereof wherebysaid handle straddles the two centrally located cans and said curvedbail portion is adapted to operably pivot into the recess formed by thetop beading on either of said centrally located cans.

Smith Oct. 10, 1899 8 Loweree Feb. 6, McCleery Nov. 2, Manthei Apr. 16,Meyer, Sept. 4, Holmberg July 28, Mushrush Dec. 21, Arneson June 19,Grinspoon July 9, Fisher Dec. 10, "Brennan June 17, Ziehmer Mar. 10,Taylor Mar. 10, Brunsing Sept. 8, Poupitch Oct. 3, Poupitch June 12,

5. A MULTIPLE CAN CLIP COMPRISING A BLANK HAVING A RELATIVELY FLAT TOPSURFACE, DEPENDING CAN GRASPING FINGERS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THESIDE OF SAID BLANK, AT LEAST ONE CANTILEVERED U-SHAPED BENT BEAMEXTENDING FROM SAID BLANK BETWEEN PAIRS OF SAID FINGERS, SAID BEAMHAVING